Realizations

Author Note One

I'll get into more detail at the bottom, but just know this is a more peaceful canon that regular canon.

"Normal speech"

'Thoughts'

"Speech over phone or terminal"

Feldt

"Setsuna, no!" Feldt watched helplessly as Setsuna's mech exploded, falling into the ground. The defeat screen flashed on her terminal as she heard Setsuna's groan of annoyance over their voice call. Her tone lightened up, trying to cheer him up, "You were so close." The Battle Mechs match ended as it went back to the lobby.

Setsuna's voice was low and grateful, though still a little annoyed, "Thanks Haro_Girl. If I had only been able to reload faster." His tone became teasing, "If only I had my wingman at my side."

Feldt smiled, blushing slightly, "I got taken out earlier saving you, so it was a bit hard to be there."

She heard Setsuna chuckle, "Well I saved you a couple times today, so you owed me. Still think you could have helped me more with that heavy a few hours ago."

Feldt pouted, "Well I would have if someone had taken out that guy's backup." She exited from the lobby, seeing the main menu of the game.

"Fair. I think I'm going to have to call it for today. My roommate is making dinner and I haven't eaten since breakfast." Feldt looked out her window, seeing the sun was beginning to set.

"Oh shit, I didn't realize that we had been playing so long." She had gotten a snack in the middle of their gaming session, which started late morning, but apparently Setsuna hadn't.

"Yeah. Normally I get a sandwich from Eric's on my day off." Feldt's mind raced at that. She knew that place. She had been there before a couple times or at least a place called that. It was a small, local cafe. It was about a thirty minute walk from her apartment. 'Did he live here? In Laplace City? I have to know!'

Her voice as a little nervous as she spoke, "When…you say Eric's, do you mean the place near city hall?"

Setsuna's voice brightened when he heard that, "Yeah. It's only a few blocks from where I live. You live in Laplace City?"

Feldt could feel a blush rising on her cheeks, "Yeah, I moved here with my roommate when I was in college. And even stayed after I graduated." She was mentally beating herself up a little for not asking where Setsuna lived sooner.

Setuna sounded nervous as he responded, "It's great we live in the same place. You want to meet up there tomorrow for lunch? I have another day off."

Her heart raced, "Yeah! Sure! 1pm?" The words fumbled out of her mouth, her mind just behind her words.

She heard warmth in his voice, sounding like he was trying to hide his nervousness, "Great. I'll be in a red scarf. Just message me when you arrive." She heard the sound of him leaving the call, the pink-haired girl looking at the screen, her mind in a rush. She ran into her bathroom, needing to get away from the computer.

She had met Setsuna three months ago in a clan in Battle Mech Online and they clicked, keeping in contact and playing with each other even when they left the clan. She enjoyed his casual and calm attitude and willingness to listen to her ranting about her tv shows and the Battle Mech franchise. Over the three months the two talked, she regularly messaged him and they had even watched a few shows together, which she hadn't been able to fully convince her roommate Christina to do. She knew he didn't enjoy some of them, but he watched with her despite that. He joked with her watching the shows and even let her rant at him about customers at her IT job. She equally enjoyed listening to him talk about his love of making model mechas, hearing the unadulterated passion in his voice.

And she may have developed a not so insignificant crush on him because of all that. And now that she knew he lived in the same city with her, a fantasy of them dating, kissing and cuddling came into her mind. 'No, bad Feldt! Don't get ahead of yourself. He may not like you like that.'

She slightly deflated at that thought. She would like nothing more than it to be true, but she wanted him as a friend. 'Should I risk our friendship on a chance that he likes me?' She saw her messy pink hair that went just below her shoulders and stained extra-large Haro shirt. 'Will he think I'm pretty?' She needed advice. Her roommate Christina had been there for her for years and had told her if she needed romantic advice, she could come to her.

She rushed out of her room and saw Christina sitting on the ground of the living room, looking up at her phone, probably recording something. Clothing was spread around the room. The brown-haired girl, her ponytail and bangs in her normal hairstyle, spoke in an energetic voice, "Well thank you for listening-"

"I need your help!" Feldt's voice was desperate as she cut off her friend.

Christina looked at Feldt, annoyed, "I was just about to finish the video for my blog. What is so important that you need to interr…" She trailed off seeing the look in Feldt's eyes, which were full of worry. She let out a breath then, annoyance leaving her system as she put down her phone, "I can tell this is important. What is going on?"

Feldt leaned forward, wringing her fingers together, "You know that guy I talk to? The one I play my game with?"

Christina rolled her eyes, "Yes, I know about your internet boyfriend. You still go on and on about him sometimes."

She blushed brightly, "He's not my…I wouldn't mind…" Her words trailed off as she struggled to come up with something to say. She quickly centered herself, "Setsuna lives in the city. He asked if I wanted to meet him tomorrow at Eric's and I said one-o'clock without thinking."

Christina's eyes lit up, "So the guy you have a massive crush on lives in the same city as you, and asked you on a date." Christina hit it right on the head.

Feldt squirmed a little, "He never said it was a date."

The brown-haired girl gave a her a look that showed she didn't believe her, "You are telling me you wouldn't want to go on a date with him?"

Feldt looked down at the ground, her blush increasing, "Well, yes, but I don't want to assume he likes me. He's a really good friend and I don't want to risk it. I also don't want to break my heart."

Christina rolled her eyes, "You overthink things. If he is really that good a friend, I don't think he would be mad at you. And you always have me if things go bad. He would be missing out on a great girl if he didn't want you. Isn't that what you told me when I was conflicted about Lichty?"

Feldt nodded, some confidence coming to her, "Yes. And ok, but it's not like I know what to dress like. I want to look presentable at least. You always said I needed to work on my fashion." She looked down at her shirt and baggy sweatpants, her normal attire she wore when not at work.

A smile grew on Christina's face, "Well then, tomorrow I am going to make you the most beautiful woman in the world, besides me obviously!" She winked at Feldt playfully. Feldt quietly laughed at Christina.

Feldt looked down at the floor where the clothing was strewn about then back at her roommate, "Sorry about interrupting your video. This probably could have waiting till tomorrow."

Christina stood up and faced the pink-haired girl, flashing her a smile and shaking her head, "Don't feel bad, I was probably going to refilm it anyways. Your love life is more important than these clothes!" She got close to Feldt and put her hands on her shoulders, "This is the exact issue I would want you to come to me for! I have been wanting to find you a good boyfriend for a long while now!"

Feldt gave her a mock glare, "You mean like all those blind dates you set up for me when I was in college?"

Christina responded in a sheepish tone, "I was just trying to help some people out. And I thought at least one would click." She shrugged her shoulders, "Well I learned my lesson. I'm just happy you found a guy you actually like."

Christina gave Feldt a devious smile, "Now let's go through that closet of yours and see what will make you beautiful."

Setsuna

Setsuna sat back in his rolling office chair, his mind catching up to what he asked. His words rushed ahead of his thoughts and had asked her if she wanted to meet at Eric's before he could even think if it was a good idea. 'Of course I let my crush make that decision. I might as well have asked her on a date.'

After meeting her three months ago, he had found himself happier. While he did have friends he played games with and he enjoyed hanging out with Saji, his roommate, hanging out with Feldt had become a highlight of his week. At first it was Battle Mech Online, but that expanded to watching shows together and sometimes even spending hours talking with each other. He tended to listen to her go on and on about the things she loved, which he was more than fine with, and he would ask questions and make comments, but occasionally he would do the same with the mech models he made, which he would normally apologize for after. She always laughed and said it was fine. God, he loved her laugh, which was light and filled his heart. That was actually the first hint he may have developed a crush on her. She made his heart race and always felt happier and more relaxed when he talked to her. 'Louise would tease me endlessly if she knew I had fallen for a girl.'

He felt his stomach growl and knew he couldn't fight his stomach anymore. Leaving his room, he entered into the main living area of the apartment and saw Saji sighing as he heard Louise's voice coming from Saji's phone, her voice begging, "C'mon Saji, it's my turn to pay for the date."

Saji's tone was exasperated, "But my sister-"

"The circus will only be here for a few more weeks! Mom said it was great!"

Saji rubbed his brow, "I'll talk to my sister, ok? See what she says." He looked over and saw Setsuna standing at his door to his room, looking at him curiously, "Hey there Setsuna! Dinner should be ready in fifteen minutes."

Louise chirped up from the phone, "Hi Setsuna! Nice to talk to you again!"

Setsuna smiled, "Nice to hear from you as well Louise. Talking about a date?"

Saji let out a sigh, "She's finally convinced me to at least talk to Kinue to reschedule our lunch on that day."

Louise spoke in a happy tone, "I love you Saji!"

Saji looked at Setsuna, seeing him looking a bit lost, "Are you ok Setsuna? You seem confused."

The raven-haired man let out a sigh, "I think I may have accidentally asked out the girl I have a crush on."

Saji tilted his head slightly, "Do you mean that girl that you always play games with?" Setsuna had told him about Haro_girl, but hadn't gone into much detail.

Louise spoke up, sounding annoyed, "Are you telling me that Setsuna was hanging out with a girl and had a crush on her, and you didn't tell me?!"

Saji spoke up in his own defense, "Hey, all I knew is that he talked with some girl and he seemed to be happier when he talked with her. And if I told you, you would have hounded him and pushed him about it."

Setsuna could almost see the pout on Louise's end as she replied, "Well yes, but then I could have helped him get a girlfriend!" Saji and Louse had been together since even before Setsuna had become Saji's roommate when he was a junior in college. She was a bit overbearing at times, but she meant it in the best way possible.

Saji shook his head at his girlfriend's words, warm smile on his face, "You certainly would have tried." He looked Setsuna in the eyes, "When are you meeting her?"

Setsuna blushed at the question, feeling nervous, "Tomorrow at one at Eric's"

"That's a nice place." Saji walked up to Setsuna and put a hand on his shoulder, "Why don't you just go meet her and go from there. Make it a casual meeting with a friend and see how interested she is? She's still your friend."

Louise added in, "Wear something nice! Put on some cologne! You might as well look and smell nice if the girl likes you." Her tone became teasing, "Also don't forget you are a catch! If I wasn't dating Saji, I would have snapped you up!"

Saji rolled his eyes at the comment. Setsuna looked down at the ground, blushing, "Thanks, you two." It felt really nice to have so much support from the two. Especially because he wanted Haro_girl to like him. His face reflected his nervousness.

Louise spoke to the two in an apologetic tone, "Sorry Saji and Setsuna, I've got to go. My mom needs to talk with me about something. Love you Saji and good luck Setsuna!"

Saji replied with, "I love you too!"

Setsuna gratefully stated, "Thanks." With that the call dropped and the two men were left alone.

Saji saw Setsuna's nervousness, "Hey man, after dinner I can help you out with an outfit. I have some experience with date protocol."

Setsuna chuckled at that, "I bet you do."

Author Note

Welcome to the Better World AU. I'll give more details at the bottom as they come up in future chapters, but in simple terms it's a world where CB wasn't needed and the crew lived normal lives in the colonies or Earth. The current year is 2315 and both of them live in a Laplace City on the East Coast of the United States. Some backstories will be modified and some peoples ages will have changed to fit stuff better.

Current ages:

Setsuna- 24

Feldt- 22

Christina- 24

Saji- 25

Louise- 25